Lot
970 
(El Dorado) Lake Bigler, Cal., July 20/63, bold manuscript postmark (Williams ELD-2160) on yellow cover to Boston, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by the postmark, few trivial toned perfs, Very Fine, one of the rarest postmarks of California. Scott Nos. 65 Estimate $400 - 600.
Lake Bigler was the controversial name given to Lake Tahoe in 1854. Named after John Bigler, the third Governor of California (1852-56), by admiring Democrats, but later in part because of his secessionist views, the Indian name came into use during the Civil War, even though the legislature did not make the change official until 1945. There are no official Postal Records for Lake Bigler and there is some question as to whether the site was in California or Nevada.
Realized: $800